Gripper.



E. A. STIGGINS.

GRIPPBR.

APPLICATION FILED JMLQS, 1905.

Patented Dee. 26, 1911.

sTATns PATENT onnrcn.

EDWARD A. STIGGINS, OF BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OE PATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

GRIPPER.

Application led January 28, 1905. Serial No. 243,099.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. STIGGINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beverly, in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Grippers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several gures.

This invention relates to grippers and particularly to grippers employed in lasting machines for gripping the upper of a shoe and pulling it about the last to which the upper is to be itted. v

VAn object of the invention is to provide grippers which will readily receive and grasp portions of stock standing in different relations to the grippers.

A further object is to construct and arrange the grippers so that they will be held or locked in their closed position with great force, whereby liability of the stock slipping from between the grippers is avoided.

With these ends in view an important feature of the invention consists in providing a grippers mechanism which is adapted to permit the stock to be inserted from the side as well as from the end of the grippers mechanism. As herein shown said mechanism comprises a movable gripper member and a relatively fixed gripper member, the movable member being arranged for movement with relation to the gripping plane lirst laterally and then longitudinally away from the coperating gripper member.

Another important feature of the invention consists in novel means for actuating the movable gripper member and for holding said member firmly closed upon the stock. In the present'embodiment of this feature of the invention the movable gripper member has imparted to it for closing the grippers a sliding movement from its open position downwardly over and in front of the stock into closing position and is then rocked toward the coperating member for gripping the stock. To this end the movable gripper member is shown as having connection with a longitudinally movable rod by which it is moved and the path followed by the said gripper member in its movements is determined by a swinging arm r similar means acting upon the upper portion of the member and by irregular or camshaped grooves which receive and guide the fulcrum pin with which said member is provided, whereby preferably said gripper member is moved from its retracted or open position in an approximately straight path over and in front of the stock until it reaches closing position and then is rocked toward the fixed gripper member for gripping stock. Y

Other features of the invention, including details of construction and combinations of parts, will be explained in the following description and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a grippers mechanism embodying my invention in the preferred form, said figure also showing portions of the grippers actuating mechanism of a lasting machine to which my invention may be applied. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the lower portion of the grippers mechanism, part of the frame being broken away. Figs. 3 and 4 are figures similar to Fig. 2 showing different positions of the parts. F ig. 5 is a perspective view of the grippers mechanism showing the grippers closed.

The frame comprises the main head l0 conveniently formed with removable side plates 12 and with an integral shank 13, which is shown as tubular. The gripper member 14 includes a jaw for engaging the stock and a body portion located between the side plates 12 and rigidly held in place by a clamping bolt 11. The coperating gripper member 1G, which is the one which is moved for closing and opening the grippers, is shown as provided between its ends with a fulcrum pin 18, the aw for engaging the stock being formed on the arm, which extends downwardly from the fulcrum pin. The upper arm of the gripper member is shown as pivotally connected at 19 to a swinging arm 20 mounted on the stud 22 in the side plates of the frame. The actuating rod 15 for the movable gripper member extends through the tubular shank 13 of the fixed gripper member and is attached, as herein shown, to the movable member at the point of connection between said member and the swinging arm, but if preferred it might be connected either directly to said movable member or to the swinging arm at any desired point. The actuating rod is joined, as herein shown, by a link 24 to the parts to be actuated by it, although any connection which would permit the needed freedom of movement of said parts may be employed instead of the link.

To the end that the stock to be engaged may be inserted either from the side or from below the grippers the parts are arranged relatively to assume the position shown in Fig. 2 when the grippers are fully opened. For closing the grippers the movable member 16 is moved, as herein shown, longitudinally of its gripping face downwardly to a point approximately opposite the cooperating member 14 and then is rocked laterally with relation to the gripping plane toward said member 14 for gripping the stock. Preferably the gripper member 16 is moved outwardly as it is moved downwardly whereby it is caused to pass over and in front of any portion of stock lying within its range. This movement enables the movable gripper member to reach out and gather in portions of stock standing in widely different positions with relation to the gripper members. In order to permit the downward movement of the gripper member 16 grooves 25 are formed in the side plates 12 for receiving and guiding the fulcrum pin. As herein shown, the grooves 25 are formed as cams having curved portions shaped to coperate with the swinging arm 20 for causing the movable gripper member to follow, during its downward movement, an approximately straight path extending over and in front of the stock, as indicated in Fig. 3. The lower portions of the grooves 25 are straight whereby the outward movement of the fulcrum :pin is arrested when the pin reaches these portions, and lthereafter the movable gripper member is caused to turn or rock about the fulcrum pin for swinging its grippingy jaw toward that of the cooperating member for gathering in and gripping the stock. It is to be noted by reference to the drawings that the swinging arm 20 and the upper arm of the movable gripper member form the members of a toggle and that as the grippers are closed on the stock, as shown in Fig. 4, these toggle members are moved into substantial alinement and come to rest approximately at or slightly past dead center, in which position they are automatically locked against reverse movement. In this position the arm 20 firmly resists any upward displacement of the gripper member which might result in loosening the hold of the grippers on the stock. It is also to `be noted that when the grippers are closed, as in Fig. 4, the link 24 stands at an angle to the actuating rod 15 so that downward pressure of the rod is transmitted laterally by the link for rocking the movable gripper member in rthe direction for further closing and holding said member against the Vcooperating gripper member.

By reason of thesearrangements the grippers are closed and held with great force so that there is no liability of the stock pulling out from between the gripper jaws. The pin 28 which connects the link 24 to the actuating rod 15 extends laterally on either' sidev of the rod, and the side plates 12 of the frame are provided with grooves 30 to receive the endportions of the pin. The grooves form guides for resisting lateral play or spring of the lower end of the actuating -rod which might-allow the gr-ip on the stock to slacken when heavy pulling strains are exerted.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a portion of the mechanismof a lasting machine with which the grippers of 'the present invention are speciallydesignedl for use. In said mechanism the grippers are suspended by a spherical head formed on the upper end of the shank 13, said head being secured to a lever 18 having a fulcrum rod 19X and connected at its rear end vwith a cam280X by which the levermay be rocked. The actuating rod 15 extends through the spherical head and above the lever 18X where it is acted upon by the yielding head of one arm of a rockshaft 28X. The'rockshaft is mounted in a bearing formed in the lever 18X and has a second arm 36X acted upon by an edge cam 54X. The cams 54 and 280X are so timed that the rockshaft 28 is first turned for yieldingly forcing the actuating rod 15 downwardly to close the grippers and thereafter the lever 18X is rocked for uplifting the entire grippers mechanism to'pull the stock. In the use of the grippers the stock-as, for example, a shoe to be lastedmay be sustained in the hands of the workman or by any suitablev support and is presented so that the edge portion of upper material to be gripped stands within the range of the movable gripper member. The grippers are constructed and arranged as above described so that the portion of stock to be gripped may be put into position either from below the grippers or from the side, whereby less care is required of the workman in presenting the work than has been necessary heretofore. When the machine is started the actuating rod is depressed and slides the movable gripper member downwardly. The swinging arm 20 and the cam grooves 25 guide and control the movement of the gripper member, causing it, as herein shown, to move first in approximately a straight path over and in front of the stock to be gripped until it reaches a position nearly opposite the cooperating gripper member. At this point in its movement the fulcrumV pin engages the straight lower portion ofA the cam grooves 25, whereby the outward movement of the fulcrum pin and of the lower portion of the movable gripper member is arrested and the gripper member is thus compelled to rock about the fulcrum pin, as the upper arm of said member and the swinging arm continue to be actuated by the rod 15. As the movable gripper member is rocked into gripping engagement with thestock the link 24, which connects the actuating rod to said member, assumes an angular position with relation to the rod, whereby the pressure of the rod is exerted laterally against the upper arm of said member for rocking it to grip the stock. By the time the movable gripper member has been moved into gripping engagement with the stock the upper arm of said member and the swinging arm 20 will have reached a position of substantial alinement, as shown in Fig. 4, so that the movable gripper member is rigidly held against upward displacement. It is to be noted that the swinging arm and the link 24 coperate in moving the gripper member 16 downwardly and rocking it, the major portion of the downward movement being effected very rapidly by the movement of the swinging arm from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, and then said swinging arm causes the movable gripper member to rock until it comes into engagement with the stock, very little power being required for eecting these movements. But by the time the gripper member has arrived at the position for closing on the stock the link 24 has reached a position suiiiciently angular to the direction of movement of the rod 15 to enable it -to act with great force in effecting the tnal rocking movement for gripping the stock and in securely holding the gripper member against reverse rocking movement. It will thus be seen that when closed the movable gripper member is locked by the swinging arm 2O against upward movement and is held with great force by the link 24 against rocking movement in the direction for releasing the stock. When the grippers have been closed the lever 18) is actuated by the cam 280x to uplift the grippers mechanism as a whole for updrawing the stock. The rockshaft 28X which has bearing in the lever 18X of course accompanies the lever in its movement so that the actuating rod l5 holds the grippers closed during the updrawing movenient and until released by the cam 54X.

Having indicated the nature of my invention and fully described a construction of grippersmechanism embodying the invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member and a coperating gripper member, of a swinging arm connected to the upper end of the movable gripper member and constructed and arranged to extend laterally from the movable gripper member when the grippers are opened, means for actuating said movfor actuating said toggle to slide the second jaw lengthwise to embrace the stock to be held and to turn said jaw toward the other v jaw to grip the stock.

3. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a fixed gripper member and a relatively movable gripper member, of means acting on the latter member midway between its ends for guiding the movable gripper member and mechanism coperating therewith for actuating said movable gripper member in a substantially straight path outwardly and downwardly over the stock to be gripped and then laterally toward the cooperating member for gripping the stock.

4. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member and a coperating gripperv member, of actuating mechanism comprising means for moving the upper portion of the movable gripper member in substantially the arc of a circle, and means for causing the movable gripper member during the first portion of said movement to travel in approximately the direction of its length and thereafter to be rocked toward the coperating gripper member.

5. In a grippers mechanism, the combina-- tion with a movable gripper member and a coperating gripper member, of a swinging arm to which said movable gripper member is connected at the `upper end of the member, means for actuating said movable gripper member, and controlling means coperating with said swinging arm for causing said member to travel in approximately the direction of its length for embracing the stock and thereafter to rock toward the coperating gripper member for gripping the stock.

6. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member and a coperating .gripper member, of a swinging arm pivotally connected to said movable gripper member, an actuating rod operat-ively connected to the movable gripper member, and a cam for causing the movable gripper member to travel. downwardly and outwardly to a position opposite the cooperating gripper member and then to rock toward the coperating gripper member.

7. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member, and a coperating gripper member, of means for actuating said movable gripper member, a

fulcrum pin carried by said gripper member, and means for controlling the movement of said gripper member, said controlling means comprising guides for said fulcrum pin arranged to cause said movable gripper member to travel downwardly over and in front of the stock and then to rock about the aXis ot the ulcrum pin :tor gripping the stock.

8. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member and a coperating gripper member, of a swinging arm pivotally connected tothe upper portion of said movable gripper member, means Jfor actuating said movable gripper member and swinging arm, and means coperating with said swinging arm Jfor controlling the movement of said gripper member to cause it to travel downwardly over and in front of the stock and then to rock for gripping the stock.

9. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member and a cooperating gripper member, of a swinging arm, a pivotal connection between s aid movable gripper member and the swinging arm, an actuator, a link carried by the actuator and secured to said pivotal connection, and means cooperating with said swinging arm for guiding the movable gripper member.

10. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member and a cooperating gripper member, of a swinging arm to which the movable gripper member is connected, and means other than said swinging arm for actuating said movable gripper member into alinement with the swinging arm whereby -said member 1s locked by the swinging arm against reverse movement.

11. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a frame, of a Xed gripper member, a gripper member movable laterally with relation to the fixed member for gripping the stock, an actuator for said movable member, and an automatically actuated linkpivoted to the actuator at one end and guided at that end in the frame, said link being connected at the opposite end to the movable gripper member and arranged to asume an angular position with relation to the movable gripper member for holding it against movement to release the stock.

12. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member and a cooperating gripper member, of a swinging arm to which the movable gripper member is connected, and actuating means for moving said movable gripper member into alinement with the swinging arm, said actuating means comprising a longitudinally movable rod and a link connecting said rod to the movable gripper member, said link being arranged to assume an angular position with relation to the actuator and said gripper member when the grippers are closed whereby the movable gripper member is held against lateral movement.

13. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with an actuator, a ixed gripper member, and a gripper member movable with relation to the fixed gripper member longitudinally and laterally for closing the grippers, and ymeans for arresting the longitudinal movement of the movable gripper member, of a link connecting said actuator to the movable gripper member and arranged to assume an angular position with relation to said actuator and movable gripper member as the grippers are closed whereby the pressure of the actuating rod is applied laterally against the movable gripper member.

14. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a fixed gripper member and a gripper member movable laterally with relation to the liXed gripper member for closing the grippers, of an actuator movable approximately lengthwise of the grippers,

, and a link connecting said actuator to the movable gripper member and arranged to occupy a position in substantial alinement with said parts when the grippers are opened and to assume an angular position with relation to said parts when the grippers are closed for locking t-he movable gripper member against reverse lateral movement. A

15. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member and a cooperating gripper member, of a longitudinally movable rod, a link pivotally connected to the rod and to the upper end of the movable gripper member, means for actuating the rod to move the link and movable gripper member longitudinally, and means for effecting and controlling flexure of the joint between the movable gripper member and link whereby the movable gripper member is rocked as well as moved longitudinally by force transmitted obliquely from the rod through the link.

16. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a frame and a fixedA gripper member secured thereto, of a movable gripper member arranged to slide andto rcok in the frame for closing and opening the grippers, a longitudinally movable rod pivotally connected to the movable gripper ymember to actuate it, and cooperating guiding means formed on the rod and the frame to resist lateral movement of the rod when the movable gripper member is rocked.

17. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a movable gripper member and a cooperating gripper member formed and arranged for seizing a shoe Lipper to pull it `over a last in the 'lasting operation, of a fulcrum pin for said movable gripper member, guides with relation to which the fulcrum pin is movable, and means for sliding and rocking said movable gripper member to close and open the grippers.

18.- In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a frame carrying a fixed gripper member and provided with guides, of a cooperating gripper member having a fulcrum pin movable in said guides, said gripper members being' formed and arranged to adapt them for seizing a shoe upper and pulling it over a last in the lasting operation, and actuating means constructed and arranged to slide and rock said cooperating gripper member for opening and closing the grippers.

19. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a frame, of a fixed gripper member, a laterally movable gripper member, a rod movable endwise in the frame, and a link pivotally connecting the rod to the movable gripper member, said parts being constructed and arranged to permit the link to assume a position approximately in alinement with the rod and gripper member when the grippers are opened and to assume a position at an angle to said parts for locking the movable gripper member against the fixed gripper member when the grippers are closed.

20. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a fixed gripper jaw, of a toggle member having a fulcrum arranged to slide lengthwise of said member, a movable jaw carried by the lower end of said toggle member, a coperating toggle member, and toggle straightening means arranged to actuate the gripper carrying member lengthwise and angularly toward the fixed jaw.

21. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a fixed gripper jaw, of a toggle member having a fulcrum arranged to slide lengthwise of said member, a movable jaw carried by the lower end of said toggle mem ber, a coperating toggle member, jaw closing means arranged to actuate said toggle members, and a cam for guiding the fulcrum of' the jaw carrying toggle member, for the purpose described.

22. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a jaw, of a second jaw having an extension forming one member of a toggle and having a fulcrum mounted to permit movement of said toggle member endwise as well as rotatively to advance its jaw toward the first jaw, a second toggle member pivoted to the first member, and actuating means operatively engaging the toggle members at said joint and arranged to eect movement rst mainly endwise and later largely rotatively to grip stock.

23. In a grippers mechanism, the combination with a jaw, of a second jaw having an extension forming one member of a toggle and having a fulcrum mounted to permit movement of said toggle member endwise as well as rotatively to advance lits jaw toward the first jaw, a second toggle member pivoted to the first member, and actuating means arranged to effect approximate closing of the jaws by a movement of the second jaw mainly endwise and to effect final closing of the jaws by movement of the second jaw largely rotatively by force applied at the joint connecting the toggle members.

24. In a grippers mechanism the combination with the jaws 14, 16, means 15 for sliding one jaw relatively to the other in closing and opening the grippers, and means, including the links 20, 24, for accelerating the relative movement of the jaws while closing initially toward the stock between them and then to give a final gripping action to the jaws.

25. In a grippers mechanism the combination with gripper jaws, means for sliding one of the jaws bodily with relation to the other jaw including the rod 15 and the links 20, 24 which gradually tip the moving jaw in the direction to accelerate the sliding movement during the initial closing and thereafter reversely tip said jaw for effecting a powerful but slower gripping of the stock between the jaws.

26. In a grippers mechanism the combination with two jaws, actuating means, and connections between the actuator and said jaws including toggle members connected at their joint to the upper end of one of said jaws to be moved bodily longitudinally to position the jaws opposite to each other and thereafter to move one jaw transversely of the direction of the first movement to close the jaws with a gripping action upon the stock.

27. In a grippers mechanism the combination with two jaws, an actuator connected to one jaw and slot and pin guiding connections for that jaw arranged to cause said jaw to have, under impelling force from the actuator, a bodily movement in a nearly straight path to a position opposite the other jaw and thereafter to move at an angle to the direction of the iirst path into gripping position.

In testimony whereof I have signed myV name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD A. STIGGINS. Witnesses:

ARTHUR L. RUSSELL, WELLS L. CHURCH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingathe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

